Downgraded Blizzard! I get such a kick out of weather lingo. Our blizzard watch was downgraded to a a winter storm warning. Basically after about 4 inches of snow it turned into sleet and rain. I feel bad for all the kids who were excited that they closed schools because this isn’t the kind of weather you can hang out in and build a snowman. The sleet pelts your face and HURTS. It’s 10am and I’ve only take 150 steps. If I plan to reach my 10k step goal I’ll have to get creative.

After taking 3 days off from running I got my long run in yesterday.

pre-run selfie

I wanted to give myself a 4th day of rest but knowing the snow was coming I figured better take advantage of dry ground. I set out at about 4pm. and was done before 6. And it was STILL DAYLIGHT! Sunset is now at 7pm thanks to Daylight Savings and that makes me very happy!

post-run selfie

The first 6 miles of the run felt really good. I could still feel my hamstrings a bit but overall felt good. I had pep in my step for the first time in a while and I was in a rhythm ticking off miles in the 10 minute range. I felt that emotional lift that long runs bring me. I was reminded how much I love distance running and once I’m not injured anymore I can get back to running more mileage.

Yassss!

And I’m obsessed with my latest iTunes download: Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran. That song makes me so happy. By mile 7 I had slowed down but my breathing was fine (Yay for my lungs! I think I’m finally done with being sick 4 weeks later). The last 2 miles were painful. And today, as I write this my hamstrings/hips/groin area are so sore. I’ll be ensuring that I take a few days off in between runs from now until the Love Run and continue to be diligent about my rehabbing. I know overall things are better. It takes a lot more mileage to overload my hamstrings than it used to.

I saw these Spring flowers just starting to appear yesterday and today they’re covered in 6 inches of snow!

And lots of seagulls kept me company. It was actually creepy quiet where I was running the first 3 miles and I got a weird vibe from a guy out in the brush by the water so I turned around and ran the rest of my miles along the busy roads. Better safe than sorry.

That’s the longest run I’ll do before the Love Run half at the end of this month. Well, I better go outside to keep shoveling my downgraded blizzard snow 😉

TGIF! Hope y’all had a good week. Tomorrow I had planned to run 10 miles in preparation for the Love Run half marathon coming up on March 25th. But after two not so amazing 4 mile runs this week thanks to my hamstring situation I decided to take a few days off and delay that 10 miler. I’m thinking of shooting for Tuesday. That’ll give me 3-4 days off to let things settle a bit. Of I couldn’t resist joining some of my hiking friends for some winter fun this morning in the snow.

Wait for meeeeee!

We had a quick storm that left a few inches and Duncan and I enjoyed the couple of hours out on the trails in the winter wonderland.

Hmm, red trail or blue?

There’s nothing better than fresh fallen snow in the woods

My little hiker

This is the gate that is at the entrance of the parking area at the trail head. It’s like sculpture.

Speaking of winter fun, last Sunday Mr SOTSS and I took his 2 girls and my niece skiing in Pennsylvania.

That’s my niece behind me after skiing down the “big mountain” for the first time! She did amazing. Yes, I was able to snap photos and video while skiing. I just held both poles in the other hand. I’m so talented.

This was only the 3rd time each of the girls has been on skis. Last year when we took them they had a lesson and this year we started on the bunny slope but after about an hour they all felt comfortable trying out the big mountain trails. I’m so excited that I was able to teach my niece AND Mr. SOTSS’ older daughter (she’s almost 14) how to turn.

Last run of the day. She was so excited that I taught her how to turn she wanted to practice. I’m so proud of her.

Once it clicked for them they got so much more confident and fell a whole lot less It was a great day filled with lots of laughs.

A daddy/daughter chill session

Taking a quick nap before the struggle to get back up.

My week was pretty typical. Duncan and I had our usual walks and trips to the pet store and as I said earlier, I got two 4 mile runs in. The first one on Tuesday was in the rain but it was about 50 degrees and felt really refreshing. The second one yesterday ended up being more of a trail run/walk.

happy trails

I ran past the golf course and since it was 63 yesterday there were golfers in action. Hard to believe that today it snowed.

golfers

So now I’m going to do all the rehabbing for the next few days and see how it goes next week when I pick back up with training.

What is your idea of Winter fun? Indoors or Outdoors?

Any fun weekend plans?

What are your favorite glute, hamstring and hip strengthening exercises?

Don’t forget to turn the clocks ahead this weekend if you’re in Daylight Savings.

We’ve got lots of cold weather and snow happening here on the east coast….both inside and out.

mmmm….snowsicles are yummy

Yep, on Friday morning Duncan took one last rest on his pig (that Mr. SOTSS won me at the Washington State Fair last September) and then discovered a little hole big enough to de-stuff the pig and before we knew it, it was snowing in the house!

Such a comfortable pig

it’s SNOWING!

It was also snowing outside and I decided to go for a 4 mile walk to get in a good amount of steps before the snow really accumulated. I walked for over an hour and really enjoyed every step. The neighborhood was quiet and magical with all the powdery white stuff falling.

being the first to step on fresh fallen snow is almost as fun as stepping on (and popping) those sheets of packing bubbles!

I love Winter!

This is where things went south. I decided to pull out my trampoline and jump a bit for a little extra calorie burn and also to warm up and get the chill out of my body. As I went to push the trampoline in the center of the living room floor I kicked one of the metal legs so hard accidentally and next thing I knew my toenail was split into 3 pieces. Just like in the cartoons, I saw stars. I manually pulled off the two pieces that were hanging by a thread and covered the toe with antibiotic cream and a bandage and continued about my day. (no photos because I want you to continue to read my blog It wasn’t until the evening when I tried to put a shoe on to take Duncan for a walk that I realized how painful the toe was and how hard it was for me to walk.

I was feeling rather down on myself because of a multitude of things. First, I had been tracking my calories and trying to eat healthier all week. I hadn’t had sweets and was going through major sugar withdrawal. I also hadn’t run all week because my hamstring has still been bothering me. Combine that with the fact that my workload at the moment is really too light for my liking (read….typical freelance worry about cash flow and paying bills) and I really spiraled.

Luckily yesterday I was able to get out of the house and go have fun in the snow with Mr. SOTSS and his girls (and the dogs). I tried not to let the toe pain get in the way. We spent a few hours outside. But not before we all got bundled up.

Superdoodle is not super happy about this getup.

Duncan hated me for putting him in his snowsuit and boots but it just makes life easier on both of us not having to deal with the snowballs that stick to his fur.

Best angle ever! #doodlebutt

Happy despite the snowsuit. Also happy the paws were set free. Those booties didn’t last long.

so happy when he’s being a kid

Chester likes big sticks and he cannot lie

LOL. The face says it all.

Does this snowsuit make my butt look big?

Things were looking up when I weighed myself this morning and I was down 1.4 pounds. But more importantly I’m really proud of myself for sticking to eating healthier for a week straight and I’m determined to keep up the good work. I know the number on the scale will fluctuate but if I can be more conscious about my nutrition throughout the year then I can consider myself ahead of the game.

Then I realized if I take my sock off before putting my boot on the toe pain is reduced and I can walk a little better. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to get out for a slow walk today and sweat out the small stuff. Hoping a few more days will bring me enough relief in the toenail AND the hamstring area that I can run a local 5k trail run this Saturday. We shall see.

And I just got a new work assignment! Whew!

Moral of this story. Toenails are heavy! (LOL!) Seriously though, my point is that it’s so easy to spiral but if you give it some time, things can always improve.

Have a great week!

Anyone else have stubbed-toe-war-stories???? Any tips on healing the tender toenail bed?